$1M gift establishes first endowed professorship at School of Social Work

Richard Takasaki with Jon Matsuoka, former dean of School of Social Work. Photo by Jackie Graessle.

Richard and Rose Takasaki have both passed away, but their positive impact in our community will continue through their $1 million bequest to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work program in social policy. Their gift establishes the Richard S. and T. Rose Takasaki Endowment Fund, which will fund the Richard S. Takasaki Endowed Professorship.

“We are so grateful to the Takasakis for this very generous endowment which will support an endowed professorship in social policy,” said Dr. Noreen Mokuau, Dean of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. She continued, “Social policy is important because it is the interdisciplinary and applied actions that affect human welfare and social justice. Social policy fosters responses to basic human needs such as the promotion of health, the creation of a safe and sustainable environment, the care and support of vulnerable populations, and the empowerment of people to participate in society and live independent lives.”

Funds from the endowment will help enhance the scholarly and research activities of the holder of the professorship, which will be held by a full professor in the School of Social Work and be awarded on the basis of scholarly achievement in the field of social policy.

“As one of the premier schools of social work in the Pacific-Asia region, we are preparing students to advance social justice and effectively serve our diverse island residents and communities around the world,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Tom Apple. “Having an endowed professorship in social policy will expand our ability to attract and retain stellar faculty and students and grow our educational reach beyond the campus and into the community.”

Richard Takasaki was born and raised in Honolulu. He graduated from McKinley High School (Class of ’36) and held degrees from UH, Columbia, Harvard and Brandeis universities. During his long, multifaceted career, he held leadership positions that included serving as chief of research and statistics and chief budget examiner for the State of Hawai‘i, director of finance for the City and County of Honolulu, vice president of the East-West Center, director of finance for the Bishop Estate, and acting president of UH. He also taught social work courses at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work.

After retiring, Takasaki continued to provide service to the community, including the Hawaiian Humane Society, Kamehameha Schools, the city Planning Commission, Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau and a plethora of others organizations.

Rose, who was born in Hilo, enjoyed her teaching career at Mānoa Elementary, Laupahoehoe and Hilo Intermediate.

Said University of Hawai‘i Foundation President and CEO Donna Vuchinich, “It is a tremendous privilege to work with generous, lifelong friends of UH like the Takasakis. Through this endowment, the memory of their good work and generosity will live on through the accomplishments of School of Social Work alumni for generations to come.”

The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. www.uhfoundation.org